to not get why people like Aldi/Lidl so much?

[lucydogz]

yes, I know it's really cheap, but, appart from some things, the food just is poor quality. When I last went there, my DH was enthused about how cheap it was, but the eggs, porridge oats, jam, mayonnaise, digestive biscuits, and plums I bought were not good at all. I see why people would shop there if they hadn't got any money, but, if you can afford to, why not go somewhere better?
If anybody can tell me about any things they do well I'm prepared to be convinced.

Yes yes Aldo's crap. Please bugger off somewhere else because those ain't big carparks

Feck off to Waitrose then.

Oh, I forgot. Aldi frangipane mince pies are GORGEOUS!

Don’t mind Lidl, dislike Aldi.

You must have missed the programme on channel 4 last year where it showed how factories make for several brands. A lot of aldi is made in the same factory as m&s and the packaging is very similar. Aldi in Ireland is very different to the U.K. we have huge amounts of Irish made local products which big supermarkets like Tesco don’t bother with.

Lidl for every day stuff Waitrose top up. I baulk at doing a normal shop in Sainsburys it’s twice the price for the same stuff

I don't find any real difference in price or quality between the cheapest stuff in Tesco/Asda Vs Aldi/Lidl. I think a lot of people who wouldn't buy the cheapest range in the big supermarkets feel ok doing so in Aldi/Lidl (because they don't have all the 'middle' priced ranges) so they save money.

Some stuff is dire (Lidl yoghurts are so watered down!) but lots is perfectly ok. I can't do a full shop in Aldi/Lidl (because I actually cook and need ingredients not just prepared foods), but I'll happily get basics there, and some of the 'nice' ranges are good (but I think that about Tesco finest etc too!).

Aldi and Lidl are fab. Good quality, good customer service, short queues, decent wine. We shop there through choice not because we have to. Asda is crap crap crap customer service and quality (used to be good once upon a time ago), Tescos meals just all taste of tomato, Sainsburys is ok but expensive compared to competitors, M&S is bit hit and miss- some ok some not so good

I find them very mixed. I have bought some excellent stuff from Lidl (wine, crisps, chocolates) some perfectly OK stuff (fresh veg, cleaning products and so on).

I don't like their meat, and have had a couple of disasters, particularly some utterly vile olive oil. I don't buy ready meals and bought cakes from anywhere, so I can't judge those.

I particularly like the middle of Lidl, and have bought some really useful things there.

I couldn't imagine doing my main shop there, but I live in a rural area and buy of lot of stuff from local suppliers, and top up from Morrison's and Waitrose.

Aldi isn’t the same food as Waitrose

I must admit I don’t mind Aldi but my DH hates it saying it’s poorly quality and the food tastes bad (this ranges from- fibrey Apple to doughy bread!) I have done the blind test and he always identifies Aldi food immediately so it doesn’t work.

The only thing is I never save money in Aldi. I recognise that’s because I shop differently (Aldi is a bit of a free for all grabbing random shit that looks nice, whereas with Ocado I have a list of regular items I’ve been getting for years) but still, no matter where I go I spend £70 a week

Lidl bakery esp pain au raisin
Aldi tonic water
Aldi Super 6 veg
Aldi Q10 night and day cream (I used to use Clarins Multi Active Nuit)
Aldi dishwasher tablets and rinse aid
Aldi sardines
Lidl Goose fat roast potatoes
Aldi duck fat roast potatoes
Aldi and Lidl mayo
Aldi greek yogurt
Aldi vegetable samosas
Aldi and Lidl fresh turkey mince
Lidl cheeses
Aldi own brand - chocolate fingers much better than Cadburys

Everything you ask Aldi to do including 'Organic ACV with the mother' they are on it like a bonnet and it's in the aisles.

I am not responsible for Kevin The Carrot

I go sometimes but I can never do a full shop there. I also prefer Lidl to Aldi. I Prefer to shop all over, and I do, I get bored going to the same place every week. Variety is the spice of life.

Tomorrow it's Tesco with a quick trip next door in Iceland for chateaubriand which is very good value and for the non poultry eaters at Christmas. Next week it might be Morrisons or Asda.

I like Aldi. Never had my shopping thrown at me, I just make sure I have my bag and purse ready so that I don't hold the queue up. Aldi till operators are the best, imo. Love the fact they are so quick.

I suppose if you have money to burn shop in Waitrose...if you dont, like me and many others , shop in Lidl and Aldi.
Personally i hate the electronic tills at Tescos and resent paying for parking at Waitrose. I think it us a bit of a class thing too ( or socioeconomic thing ) im afraid.

Im a convert ...love Lidl and Aldi.

I love Aldi and Lidl. I used to do my full weeks shop in Sainsburys but it's really expensive imo. I love the random stuff you get in Aldi and Lidl and I love the themed weeks like Greek week, Spanish week, French week etc...you get some really interesting foods.

forgot Lidl peanut butter and Aldi Irish Whiskey Cake ..mmm

@Dahlietta I don't but I have worked out the quiet times at my local store, however I hear Tonbridge is naice so I may make a special trip there for a new Waitrose experience 

@Finfintytint I do the zappy things (self scan or whatever) in Waitrose too which cut down the time and check out hassle to an absolute minimum. Can't be doing with having my baked beans catapulted at me down a moving conveyor belt. Also the scanner itself is a useful way of keeping kids quiet in the trolley.

I stood in the queue at Tesco this morning, waiting as a man handed over various coupons, some of which were out of date, and some the cashier was querying. It took ages. I always remember someone on MN declaring "Aldi don't do that shit." DH and I often mutter that in the Tesco queue! Usually through the tills in no time at Aldi.

I hate Lidl. But Aldi on the other hand...

Just cos it’s made in the same factory doesn’t mean it’s made with the same ingredients.

DH does work for several brand names who also manufacture for supermarkets. The recipes are altered to reflect wishes of retailer.

But Aldi/Lidl aren’t the worst for that. There are places which charge more that have a lower spec- they just want a big margin to increase profits.

I LOVE Aldi, I like the fact there is no shitty BOGOFs that you feel you have to buy.

Much prefer it to Tesco

My experience of Lidl is till people making me go too quick, veg that goes off too fast compared to Tesco or Asda and it's not significantly cheaper. Mince is cheaper but you get less in a pack. The bakery is nice but so is our local Asda's. I don't get the fuss either.

How are oats bad quality?! THey're just oats....

Exactly Merrycatmus - I don’t know about manufactured goods but I know someone who deals with meat supplies and Waitrose an sM&S demand by far the highest quality produce

Not all the quality is poor. Some of the fruit and veg is pretty good, and things like biscuits are basically the same as the brands if not better.

Admittedly, I wouldn't buy the frozen foods though.